Fiona added, “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter… for now. Whatdoesmatter is what you’re going to tell—”
Rem turned around as Fiona abruptly paused, the Elder Witch’s eyes full of fear and anger, her lip snarling.
The door burst open, and inside came another Elder that Rem recognized from the townhome, the one named Imari. Out of the pale Elder’s hand came dark shadows, reaching out like tendrils moving through water. They ensnared Fiona, whose eyes went black as shescreeched.
Rem pressed as hard as she could against the cold glass of the window, watching with horror. The Arch Elder entered the room, motioning for Rem. Fiona screeched again, her hair floating as she eyed Rem with aggression, but the Arch shielded Rem as she helped her out of the room.
The Arch said a command in Icelandic, and more Elders entered the room, the women in red filing in, one by one. Tania guided Rem to the second landing where Ronan, his family, and Nia were.
Nia said, “Rem! Rem, are you alright?”
“Yes,” she replied, slightly dizzy, her brows upturning with gratitude at seeing her only friend. “What’s happening?”
Nia cautioned, “Careful, the Elder Witch took blood from you. You’re going to pass out if you move too fast.”
“Oh, that—that makes sense now—” Rem glared at Nia. “Wait… Did you just say Elder Witch? Youknow?”
The Arch said, “Yes, we know, Rem. We do not know the curse, but we know she placed one on you.”
“What?” Rem asked with a small voice, her jaw dropping as her arms and legs rose with gooseflesh.
Ronan watched carefully in the background, Nia translating when she could.
“Fiona is playing a dangerous game, and unless she confesses, we will have to burn her. That’s the only way to kill a witch, which will free you. Cursing a Silver is just…” she shook her head, “beyond understanding.”
Rem breathed heavily with a shaky voice asked, “I am going to befree?”
The Arch placed a hand on Rem and nodded. “Yes, Rem. You will be free of Fiona.”
Rem cried, a part of her elated at how this turned out, and a larger part of her feltrelieved. She laughed, and it was the first, full laugh that she had experienced since leaving home.
Rem was aware of how this looked, crying and laughing on her knees, and yet she couldn’t seem to stop. It was the unknown of it all, it seemed, that got to Rem the most over the last few weeks. Now that she knew that there was a real, tangible end… She laughed and wept again.
Tania quietly asked, “Can you tell us anything, though, Rem? Anything to help? Where she cursed you, why she cursed you, any of that?”
Rem shook her head, wiping her eyes as Nia mumbled translations in the background. “I cannot. Fiona cursed me so that I couldn’t say—” Rem’s throat burned, and she lurched forward on her hands and knees, trying to speak but nothing came out.
She tried to scream, only to release the most pitiful sound.
No!
Ronan finally stepped forward, speaking boldly at the Arch as he placed a hand on Rem’s shoulder. Another screech came from the upstairs, echoing through the home. Rem clawed at her throat, looking around, fraught with the need to tell them what happened. Her eyes connected with Ronan’s, her helplessness given to him, desperate to share this burden withsomeonewith any authority. Ronan remained mute but gave a gentler expression… One she hadn’t seen before.
It was very humanlike, in fact—unguarded and concerned.
The Arch knelt down, to which Rem looked at her. The aged woman smelled like dirt, not in a filthy way, but more like she was a creature of the Earth.
The Arch said, “That is all my fault for not noticing. I admit, it has been a while since I have worked with witches and their curses. Whatever she put on you… It’s damning. It is alright, though. She will be given the opportunity to relinquish you, but shehascursed a Silver, and wecannothave that. If she doesn’t cooperate… We will have to take extreme measures. You can rest for now, though, Rem… We will take care of you.”
Rem looked down, tears running down her nose, Ronan watching closely, keeping his hand on her shoulder.I have to tell them about Oliver before Deacon somehow learns. What if he runs back to tell Jackson?
Rem eyed Tania, trying to say,‘I need more help’. Nothing came out, like her throat was a hinge that needed greasing, but it was so dry that only the faintest squeak managed out.
“What is it?” Tania quietly inquired.
Closing her eyes to think, she focused on the most basic details. When an idea struck her, she opened her eyes and pointed to Ronan—who watched with dark yet gentle eyes—then pointed at Suna. Then she pointed at herself and then to the empty area next to her.
“You have a twin?” Nia asked.
